Classification signal and extensible flag



Aug. 8, 1950 G BUCKNER, JR

CLASSIFICATION SIGNAL Am: EXTENSIBLE FLAG Filed April 26, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l L 6 B uc/me r, Jr.

Aug. 8, 1950 L G BUCKNER, JR

CLASSIFICATION SIGNAL AND EXTENSIBLE FLAG Filed April 26, 1948 Fig. 3.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v q, a g o m N y m #9 Inventor L 6 Buckner, Jr.

WWW Mz M Aug. 8, 1950 GBUCKNER, JR

CLASSIFICATION SIGNAL AND EXTENSIBLE FLAG Filed April 26. 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor L 6- Buckner Jr.

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Patented Aug. 8, 1950 UNIT-ED srlrnas PATENT OFFICE CLAS SIFI CATION SIGNAL AND EXTENSIBLE FLAG L G Buckner, J r., Jefferson City, Mo. Application April 2/6, 1948, Serial No. 23,307

'Claims. 1

This invention relates to novel andv useful improvements in signal devices. V

It is one of the prime purposes of the present invention to render signals by improved means, which improved means includes a housing composed of sections having an extensible frame member associated therewith, which frame member has locking means attached thereto for maintaining the frame in the extended position, a flag member attached to said frame and to the rotatable portion of the handle relative to the housing and which includes improved latching means for use in association with the housing.

Another object of this invention is to provide an extremely simplified device which will render signals in a convenient manner and which is simplified in structure.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent to those skilled in the art, in following. the description of the preferred form of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred form;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the invention showing in the closed position;

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational view showin another side of the invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional View of the invention shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a broken perspective view of certain elements forming a portion of the housing utilized in association with the invention; V

Figure 6 is an end view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a detail view taken substantially on the line l'! of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 3, and; v

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a latching device which may be used in association with the frame to hold it in the extended position.

This invention has been developed in order to provide a signal device improved in character which is both dependable, durable and easy to handle.

It is within the purview of the present invention to utilize the same wherever it is found desirable such as in connection with railroads, on disabled trucks and other position wherein such a device is found desirable.

A handle I0 is provided of any suitable material such as wood, light metal or the like. This handle has a bore l2 therein in order to accommodate a reduced portion M of a handle extension or reel l6. This handle l0 and its extension I6 is provided with a recess in order to accommodate a channel I8. A bearing 20 rests in the channel (see Figure 4) and this hearing is actually of .the split type being composed of two portions 22 and 24. One of the portions is attached to a housing section 26 while the other is attached to a housing section 28. The two sections 26 and 28 are attached by means of either a plurality of small hinges 30' or if it is found desirable a single long continuous piano-type hing may be supplied. Adjacent the opposite end of the housing sections 26 and 28 is supplied another split bearing construction composed of two sections 32 and 34 respectively which are substantially identical to the sections 22 and 24 with the exception of the filled or closed end thereof. The filled or closed ends form a second annular chamber 36 serving the purpose of a second bearing in order to accommodate the rotating bearing section 38. This last mentioned section is attached firmly to the end of the reel or extension I6 thereby journalling the same within the housing.

The said housing section 28 has a flange 40 associated therewith and forming a portion thereof. This flange deviates from the circular cross section of the housing in order to accommodate a frame generally indicated at 42 when the frame is in the folded position.

This frame is composed of a vertical rod 44 forming one side while pairs of rods 48 and 50 are hingedly connected and form an opposing top and bottom. For this construction attention is directed to Figure 9 wherein it is seenthat'a conventional pin 52 joins the two sections 48 and and 5|] and also, a clip 54 is attached to one of the rods. This clip 54 is adapted to frictionally engage the rod 48 thereby maintaining it in the extended position. This form a locking means for extending the entire flag 58 and maintaining it in the open position.

The said flag 58 may be made of any suitable material such as heavy canvas, a reflecting material, or any other. A hem 60 is provided at one end thereof and this hem encircles the rod 44. The other end of the flag is secured to the reel, the. flag being .wound upon the reel by rotating the handle, while the housing is maintained relatively stationary.

When the rod is in the folded position it is received firmly within the recess formed by the flange 40. The rod is also held in this position through the medium of slip rings 66 and 68 respectively which are detachably received in grooves and 12 formed in the bearing construction at each end of housing. As is seen in Figure 3 the ends of the rod 48 are pivotally associated with prongs I4 and 16 respectively. These prongs are attached to the bearing sections 22 and 32 respectively and are arcuate in configuration. Suitable apertures 18 and 80 are in the opposing bearing sections in order to accommodate prongs. By this means the housing sections are maintained firmly in the closed position and are prevented of lateral displacement relative to each other. Also, the prongs serve the purpose of a journalling point for the rod 48.

The slip rings 66 and 68 encircle the bearings at each end of the housing and maintain the rod within the recess formed by the flange 40 and also maintain the housing in the closed position.

When it is desired to open the flag or signal device, the rings 65 and B8 are simply slipped in their respective grooves and the flag or signal portion of the device is simply pulled from the housing having the reel 16 rotating therewith. The spring clip 54 maintains the folding side of the frame in the extended position and the flag is ready for use. When it is desired to roll in the flag, the handle Hi is simply rotated while the housing is maintained relatively stationary thereby pulling in the material 58 of the flag within the housing. The frame is folded as is seen in Figure 3 and the slip ring 66 and 68 are revolved in their grooves maintaining the device in the closed position.

As is seen in Figure 8 the flange 40 serves an ancillary function of maintaining the material 58 of the signal device fiat in rolling the same on the reel or handle l6.

While there has been described and illustrated but a preferred form of the invention, it is apparent that variations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, limitation is sought only in accordance with the scope of the'following claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A signal device comprising a handle having a housing journalled thereon a reel in said housing, said housing being formed of hinged sec tions, means for locking said sections in the closed position, a collapsible frame pivotally attached to said housing and adapted to be extended therefrom, a flag attached to said frame and to said reel, said locking means including prongs attached to one of said sections and apertures in the other section receiving said prongs, grooves adjacent said prongs around said housing and slip rings in said grooves, and resilient clips for locking said frame in the extended position.

2. A signal comprising a handle having a housing rotatably received thereon, said housing being in the housing and to be extended therefrom, means for attaching said collapsible frame to said housing means for retaining said frame in an extended position and a flag secured to said extensible frame.

3. A signal comprising a handle having a hous ing rotatably received thereon, said housing being composed of a pair of hingedly connective sections, bearing members provided at opposite ends of said housing, detachable fastening means attached to said bearings for maintaining said housing in the closed position, an extensible frame adapted to be housed within the housing and to be extended therefrom, means for pivotally attaching said extensible frame to said housing, and a flag secured to said extensible frame, said frame attaching means comprising prongs attached to said bearings and detachably associated with one of said housing sections, said prongs also being rigidly associated with the other housing section and means for retaining said frame in an extended position.

4. A signal comprising a handle, a housing concentrically and rotatably disposed on one end of said handle, said housing being composed of a pair of hingedly connective sections, split bearing members provided at opposite ends of said housing, means for retaining said sections in a closed position including arcuate prongs carried by one section of the bearings and slots in the other section for receiving the prongs, resilient split rings concentrically disposed about the bearings, a longitudinally extending opening defined by the free edges of said housing sections, an extensible frame pivotally carried by said prongs, said frame being housed within the housing and movable through the opening therein, a flag associated with said frame and means for locking said frame in an extended position.

5. A signal device comprising a handle, a housing journaled on one end of said handle, said housing being formed of a pair of hin-gedly connective sections, bearing members provided at opposite ends of the housing, means for retaining said sections in a closed position including arcuate prongs carried by one of said sections, the other section having means for receiving the prongs, resilient split rings concentrically disposed about the bearings, an extensible frame pivotally mounted on said prongs and adapted to be housed within the housing, a flag associated with said frame, and means for locking said frame in an extended position. a

L G BUCKNER, J R.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 960,669 Morgan June 7, 1910 1,662,190 Jones Mar. 13, 1928 1,800,627 Heck Apr. 14, 1931 2,072,573 Vi'gliotti fi Mar. 2, 1937 

